My website gets at least one hit a day from a google search long the lines of 'foot massage while pregnant', that is at least 365 people per year click on my little website to find the answer to that question, which means a lot more people than that search for something along those lines. I get at least one email a month from someone saying 'I had a massage, I am pregnant, will my baby be ok?' People are searching along those lines because it has filtered out into the general public that foot massage during pregnancy is a concern, I'm not making them type in the search phrase, they are doing it of their own accord. They are not peers, they are the general public. (very different legal system if a panel of your peers is all you have to worry about, I was under the impression that expert witnesses that support the plaintifs case get called in) If the general public is so concerned about foot massage during pregnancy, imagine what a field day an expert witness would have with all the text books like Mother Massage by Elaine Stillerman, Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy by Carole Osborne-Sheets and Massage During Pregnancy by Bette Waters all mentioning keep away from reflexology uterus point during massage and various combinations of acupuncture points! SP6 gets mentioned more than GB21. These are MASSAGE text books, not reflexology , acupressure or acupuncture books. I don't think massaging the reflexology uterine point or GB21 or SP6 will cause a miscarriage, if it did there would be no unwanted pregnancies, everyone would know 'just push this spot for 10 seconds and you won't be pregnant', but while the general public think that pregnancy massage can be a risk, and textbooks give very clear indications about what should not be massaged during pregnancy massage, I will work on the conservative side of what can be done during pregnancy massage. Courts don't look favourably on 'I didn't know' as an excuse.
If you're not worried about the possible legal ramifications of a miscarriage being blamed on a massage therapist (after all she was smoking, binge drinking, spending time in a sauna, had an underactive thyroid, high stress levels, all possible miscarriage contributors) there is no need to worry about the standard recommendations. But when someone looks for blame they look for the first possibility of what was done to them, not what they did to themselves, to blame when something goes wrong. That massage could be it. If legal action was taken it may get thrown out, but it's incredibly stressful while it looms over your head.
They change first aid training pretty regularly according to the latest research of what should and should not be done, they don't wait until everyone has retired before changing it.
Hi ya all
Cola is right about SP6 over GB21, and not forgetting LI4. But where is the evidence? It comes from thousands of years of observation. But would that hold in a court of law? Unless you really "dug in hard" with your thumbs into these points and prehaps ankle area foot reflexes, would it really cause uterine contractions? Why use such pressures in the first first place?
I will treat personally most people with most ailments, because of experience and commonsense. Contraindications are debatable. Each case is so different and I know so many therapists who treatment contraindication lists as gospel. If you take it too far you would never treat anyone. From a teaching point of view, contraindication lists are useful to allow the student to reflective upon their actions and to be safe.
I agree pregnancy is natural and not a medical problem, unless there is a medical problem.
If I treat a pregnant lady, I'm always cautious, but not too fluffy bunny about it. If complementary and alternative medicine is going to be taken serious it has it be effective, otherwise its fluffy relaxation or pampering (which of course has its place;)).
While I typing, I like to use Thai Yoga Massage in the side position on a comfortable futon mat for a pregnant clients.
Best Wishes
Reiki Pixie